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Iles Crozet

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November 21, 2002: Morning

This morning the Shokalskiy steams over to Baie Americaine where we have planned to land and explore, but heavy surf forces us to abandon that plan. As the weather, though quite windy, is fair, we make a circumnavigation of the island that brings us a succession of spectacular views and an opportunity to see many seabirds. Ile de la Possession is the largest of the Crozet Islands, with an area of 150 sq. km.
As we move north from Baie du Marin, Alfred Faure station sparkles white in the sunlight. To its right, the red cinder cone of Mont Branca (peak elevation 383 meters or 1256 feet) is clearly visible.
Looking west-southwest over the cliff between Crique du Sphinx and Crique de la Chaloupe, we can see all the way to the ridge called Arete des Djinns, some 10 kilometers away, which includes Pic du "Mascarin", the highest point on Possession Island at 934 meters or 3064 feet. Such a view is exceedingly rare in the Crozets, where the higher elevations are almost perpetually shrouded with clouds.
Baie Americaine on the northwest side of Possession Island, the site of much activity by American sealers in the nineteenth century. Morne Rouge (Red Hill) is in the foreground. Again the view extends all the way to the summit of the island.
Off what I believe is Cap de l'Antares, the northern side of Baie Americaine, a swarm of prions (a small seabird in the petrel family) flies over the ocean.
A little farther on, more prions are seen.
Near the northernmost point of the island, the appropriately named Pointe Sombre stands out in marked contrast to the mist shrouded hills above it.
On the west side of the island, Roche Percee (Pierced Rock) stands off shore, with the triangular Roches des Moines (Friars' Rocks) to the left.
A jagged black rock looms in front of the rugged coast on the southwest side of Possession Island.

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